STATE OF MAINE
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Docket No. 2002-162
November 25, 2002
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Procedures for Conservation Program
Planning
REQUEST FOR INPUT
ON DESIGN OF ENERGY
EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS
We are soliciting comments from any
interested person on programs that the Maine Public Utilities Commission should
include in the portfolio of on-going energy efficiency programs implemented
pursuant to PL 2001, ch. 624, that explicitly target environmental improvement
as a primary goal.
PL 2001, ch. 624 (The Conservation Act or the Act),[1] enacted during the second session of the 120th Legislature, establishes the terms that govern an electric energy conservation program in Maine. Section 4 of ch. 624, which enacts 35-A M.R.S.A. § 3211-A, directs the Maine Public Utilities Commission (Commission) to “…develop and, to the extent of available funds, implement conservation programs….” The Act contains a wide range of goals and criteria that govern the selection of conservation programs and requires the Commission to establish definitions, procedures, and criteria before implementing programs.
On November 6, 2002, in Docket No. 2002-473, the Commission issued an Order Adopting Rule and Statement of Factual and Policy Basis, which approved revisions to Chapter 380 of the Commission’s Rules. The revisions implement portions of the requirements of the Conservation Act (P.L. 2001, ch. 624) defining “low-income residential customers” and “small business consumers” and established the test for cost effectiveness of energy efficiency programs. In that order, the Commission observed that environmental benefits are an important benefit of efficiency programs and expressed its intent to seek further input from interested parties on proposals that explicitly target environmental improvement as a primary goal.[2]
III. REQUEST FOR PUBLIC INPUT
We will be considering programs to include in the 2003 Energy Efficiency Program Plan during the remainder of 2002. As part of the planning process, we invite interested parties to submit written comments on potential new programs, and on the continuation of current interim programs, that explicitly target environmental improvement as their primary goal, by December 9, 2002. Parties who have already submitted input can, if appropriate, supplement their input with specific information on the environmental benefits of their suggested programs.
To assist us in plan development, and to allow the Commission to compare program suggestions in a consistent manner, written comments should specifically address the environmental impact of the program, and provide as much of the following information as possible for each proposed program.
Ø A brief summary of the program, including:
o What is the target market, including any specific targeted segments?
o What are the program objectives, and what is the overall program strategy?
o What are the environmental benefits of the program, both direct and indirect?
o What are the barriers to implementation of energy efficiency by the target market and how will they be overcome?
o What are the major activities of the proposed program?
o What are the key measures of success?
o What is the estimated cost of the program?
Ø An estimate of the cost effectiveness of the proposed program. With this estimate, provide as much supporting information as possible, including:
o A list of the energy efficiency measures (EEMs) included in the proposed program
o The cost of each EEM, as compared to an equivalent standard measure
o The estimated annual electric savings for each EEM, in kWh and kW.
o Any operation and maintenance costs or savings
o Any cost or savings in other resources
o Any non-resource-related costs or benefits
Ø A discussion of the program’s effectiveness in meeting the overall goals, objectives, and strategies for energy efficiency programs, established in our September 24, 2002 Order in Docket 2002-162.
Ø References to similar programs operated elsewhere.
Persons who propose programs should indicate where the Commission could obtain additional information if needed.
Dated at Augusta, Maine,
this 25th day of November, 2002.
BY ORDER OF THE PRESIDING
OFFICER
_______________________________
James A. Buckley